kathleen.dickson

http://www.council4.org/Herald%20Rally.htm

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"He said Connecticut needs to pass a comprehensive campaign finance
reform bill that would stifle the political clout that contractors,
lobbyists and others have on the system.

Also, he said the Legislature should hold its own investigations into
alleged corruption, hiring outside attorneys to determine whether
there is enough evidence to try and impeach Rowland.

There is an impeachment provision in the state constitution.

"Their silence is deafening," Swan said of the Legislature. "There's
nothing that's as widespread and public that compares to the
corruption in Connecticut.""

http://www.norwichbulletin.com/news/stories/20030929/localnews/351145.html

Some seek Rowland recall
But unlike California, Connecticut's governor can't be recalled.

By SUSAN HAIGH

Rowland

Online poll

If Connecticut allowed it, would you favor a recall vote on Gov. John
G. Rowland? To give your opinion and see what others think, go to
http://www.norwichbulletin.com


HARTFORD -- Upset by news of federal corruption investigations, fines
and ethical missteps, some Connecticut voters are looking for a
California-like recall of Gov. John G. Rowland.

More than a dozen people have called the secretary of the state's
office wanting to know if they can petition for a recall election just
like Californians did this summer.

"It ranged from, 'Can we recall the governor?' to 'I'd like to get the
forms to recall the governor,'" said Larry Perosino, spokesman for
Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz.

There are also fliers and T-shirts bearing a modern black, white and
red graphic of the governor and the words "Recall Rowland" being
circulated around the state. There also is a new Web site,
http://www.ENDtheCORRUPTION.com, where people soon will be able to purchase
the shirts online.

But those asking for a recall are out of luck.

Rowland, a Republican serving his third term, cannot be recalled.
There is nothing in Connecticut's constitution or in state law that
would allow for a governor to be recalled from office in midterm.

Only five Connecticut municipalities -- Bristol, ****ord, New Haven,
Stratford and Westport -- have town charters allowing voters to recall
their locally elected officials.

Christian Murray, the 27-year-old Hartford graphic artist who designed
the "Recall Rowland" fliers and T-shirts, said he realizes that
Connecticut does not have a recall provision. But he still likes the
sound of it. And he thinks it's catching on.

"I want people to look at this and be able to grasp onto it," said
Murray, who decided to make the design after reading about a federal
investigation into alleged bid-rigging and the Rowland administration.
"I think public awareness is important and giving people a medium to
express themselves."

Murray started the Web site and has begun working with CCAG, the
Connecticut Citizens Action Group, to distribute the design. Last
week, it made a debut at Connecticut Day at the Eastern States
Exposition in Springfield, Mass.

Fliers were left on people's windshields and some CCAG members wore
T-shirts bearing the design. A small plane flew overhead pulling a
banner that read: "Impeach Rowland."

Bumper stickers reading "Shame on you Governor Rowland," also have
been printed. CCAG Executive Director Tom Swan said his group, a vocal
critic of the governor, isn't involved.

Rowland said he believes the state employee unions, which fought with
the governor for months over the status of laid-off state workers, are
behind much of the talk of recall and impeachment. He dismisses the
idea that everyday voters are behind such talk.

"This is the continuing campaign of the state employee unions. This is
not a spontaneous neighborhood group," Rowland said last week. "The
average, everyday voter is worried about their job, their children,
their schools, their lot in life, their quality of life."

Rowland said if voters drive around Hartford, Waterbury, Bridgeport,
New London, the University of Connecticut and the state university
campuses, they'll see many good things that are happening because of
him and his administration over the past five years.

"That's what matters, not the PR campaigns from the state unions,"
Rowland said.

The administration first came under fire in March when Rowland's
former deputy chief of staff pleaded guilty to accept gold coins and
cash in exchange for steering state contracts. That federal
investigation is continuing and there is speculation that several
indictments could soon be forthcoming.

Also, Rowland has since paid thousands of dollars to settle
investigations by the state Ethics and Elections Enforcement
Commissions regarding vacations at homes owned by state contractors
and use of a Republican party credit card.

There is also a federal investigation into a failed $220 million deal
between Enron and the state's trash authority.

Douglas Schwartz, director of the Quinnipiac University Poll, said
such bad press has worsened the governor's standing with the voters.
Rowland's polling numbers began to drop in February when he signed on
to tax increases to cover the state deficit.

A Quinnipiac Poll released in late July showed that Rowland's approval
rating was about 31 percent.

"His big drop occurred when there were the budget problems. That's
what he dropped about 25 points after the election," Schwartz said.
"It is attributed mainly to the state budget, but the ethics issues
have also caused problems for him. It has prevented him from
rebounding in the polls."

Schwartz said it is uncertain how strong the level of disapproval is
and whether Rowland can win back the hearts of voters.

Swan, of CCAG, said he believes a growing number of people in
Connecticut are becoming discouraged with Rowland. CCAG is planning to
conduct a public awareness campaign, putting pressure on the
Democratic-controlled legislature to take action.

He said Connecticut needs to pass a comprehensive campaign finance
reform bill that would stifle the political clout that contractors,
lobbyists and others have on the system.

Also, he said the Legislature should hold its own investigations into
alleged corruption, hiring outside attorneys to determine whether
there is enough evidence to try and impeach Rowland.

There is an impeachment provision in the state constitution.

"Their silence is deafening," Swan said of the Legislature. "There's
nothing that's as widespread and public that compares to the
corruption in Connecticut."

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Originally published Monday, September 29, 2003